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Breguet Br.1100

1957 COLD WAR X-PLANE

History

Like the Breguet Br., the Br. 1100 branch has been redesigned to fit the more localized French Air Force light tactical attack platform. Proposals for such an aircraft were made in late 1953, calling for a single-seat, Mach 1-capable strike fighter capable of carrying a wide ammunition load (while interestingly maintaining its light status) and a single- or two-seat engine configuration (recommended the latter, because of its inherent enhanced survivability at low altitudes).

Numerous French airlines have paid their respects, including well-known players such as Dassault, Fouga, Morane-Saulnier, Nord and, of course, Breguet with the Br.1100.

Building on the existing frame designed for the NATO Br. 1001 Taon program, the Br. 1100 differs in the arrangement of its two side-by-side turbojet units (rather than one powerful unit), reflecting The desired use of a wider, rounder hull was achieved. The wing main wing is swept back accordingly and set lower along the sides of the fuselage, and all three empennage elements (two horizontal and one vertical fin) also have significant swept back.

An air brake was installed under the tail to slow the aircraft down if needed, and Breguet engineers also opted here to install slats and trailing-edge flaps along the main wings to improve control. The twin-engine arrangement is drawn in through semi-circular air intakes on either side of the fuselage, with each engine having its own exhaust under the tail.

A retractable tricycle landing gear is installed for ground work. In the overall arrangement, the pilot sits under a largely unobstructed canopy and behind a short nose cone that provides excellent visibility around the aircraft.

Engines of choice are 2 Turbomeca "Gabizo" afterburner turbojets, each delivering 2,645 lbs dry and up to 3,750 lbs thrust with reheat (afterburner) on. The dual nature of the engine ensures better survivability if a unit is incapacitated in contested airspace.

With this arrangement, the aircraft is expected to reach speeds of over Mach 1.0 at nearly 33,000 feet and 700 mph close to sea level, making it a fast attacker/intruder.

Structurally, the curb weight of the sample is 8,362 lbs, while the total weight is 14,430 lbs. Dimensions include a barrel length of 41 feet, a wingspan of 25.7 feet and a height of 14.2 feet.

The proposed weapons program includes 2 x 30mm DEFA 551 series automatic cannons and retractable Matra-developed ventral missile battery launcher units as fixed forward-firing weapons. This would be complemented by ordnance placed on two underwing hardpoints (one for each wing element) used to support airborne missiles, rocket pods or conventionally thrown weapons, giving the aircraft a relatively broad role as an ordnance carrier.

In its final form, the only prototype completed for the program made its maiden flight on March 31, 1957. Tests revealed design limitations, including increased drag due to the speed limiting speed of the far rear tail, and keeping the aircraft supersonic even in level flight (which should be a key quality of the Strike Fighter).

As a result, interest in this light twin-engine tactical combat platform eventually waned, and the project went nowhere until aviation history was made.

The second prototype was in an unfinished state before it was finally abandoned. The Br. 1100M designation was reserved for the proposed naval form, but this design was not developed further.